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Hot Rods Engineering nightmare

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Kiwi 4d, Dec 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM.

  1. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,905

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The PO didn’t do this scary work ,someone before him . Ok grind the living daylights out of a critical part just to clear a grease ******. I simply shifted the ****** location and realigned the bush hole. I never thought to check for bump steering, but I ***ume it would have been horrendous. The pitman arm geometry was not long enough so they went to the trouble of milling a slot in the bolted on extension. Needless to say this has all gone in to file 13. IMG_2534.jpeg IMG_2528.jpeg IMG_2510.jpeg IMG_2504.jpeg
     
    mad mikey, GuyW, bchctybob and 2 others like this.
  2. evintho
    Joined: May 28, 2007
    Posts: 2,579

    evintho
    Member

    Rat rod engineering.

    Oh no......the R word!
     
    mad mikey, dana barlow, hrm2k and 4 others like this.
  3. JD Miller
    Joined: Nov 12, 2011
    Posts: 2,686

    JD Miller
    Member

    That's some dat Genius Hillbilly "Engeniran"
     
    mad mikey, hrm2k, lostn51 and 3 others like this.
  4. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 3,632

    Kerrynzl
    Member

    Was it imported to NZ like this ?????
     
    hrm2k and Kiwi 4d like this.
  5. ****py engineering is traditional :)
     
  6. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 10,754

    Rickybop
    Member

    That's not engineering. LOL
     
  7. Rckt98
    Joined: Jun 7, 2005
    Posts: 1,173

    Rckt98
    Member

    Haha. I'm sure that would fly through NZ cert process.
     
  8. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,717

    twenty8
    Member

    The good thing about the NZ and AUS build and rego process is that this sort of **** shouldn't make it onto the road.
     
    mad mikey, hrm2k, Mel58 and 2 others like this.
  9. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,905

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @Kerrynzl . Yes this is how it came into NZ. But had no motor . It’s now RHD with an F100 box. In hindsight sight we should have started with a fresh ch***is. We basically had to reweld everything. Silicone and or bog covered a lot of sins. Blind monkey welding.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2025 at 10:19 PM
    mad mikey and hrm2k like this.
  10. deucemac
    Joined: Aug 31, 2008
    Posts: 1,653

    deucemac
    Member

    I'm 78 and have been building hot rods and race cars since I was 14. I was asked to look at a car in progress one time and found several problems, from minor to major. I explained my findings to the owner and his reply was, " you aircraft guys are just too fussy!". My reply was that there is only one way and it is the right way. I told him that if you screw up a build on a car, it you're lucky you can coast to the side of the road and call AAA. If you screw up on an aircraft, they call the police, the FAA, and the coroner. My kids used to get mad at me because when I built a car, my process was make them stop and steer, THEN make them go! I have watched far too many cars with hellashis engines and most safety items given token acknowledged at best. My life and my families lives are VERY important to me. If you build a car negligently, and it fails because of slipshod work, you just might find yourself with a new career, making license plates log term, in your state prison! A serious point to ponder while building your latest car project!
     
    mad mikey, Algoma56, X-cpe and 18 others like this.
  11. captaintaytay
    Joined: May 24, 2011
    Posts: 1,203

    captaintaytay
    Member

    I still don't see how a grease gun would fit.
     
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  12. NoelC
    Joined: Mar 21, 2018
    Posts: 696

    NoelC
    Member

    While one could argue, "I could do better". Or "that was a dumb thing to do". I'd going to say the car made it from here to there...really, how dangerous was it?
     
  13. Kerrynzl
    Joined: Jun 20, 2010
    Posts: 3,632

    Kerrynzl
    Member

    Container shipping is quite safe these days.
     
    mad mikey, Mr48chev, rpm56 and 4 others like this.
  14. 19Eddy30
    Joined: Mar 27, 2011
    Posts: 4,032

    19Eddy30
    Member
    from VA

    I am not that old , But I know in History
    Of Hot Rodder's had a bad reputation
    Because most @ specific time frame & Now are not Engineers ...
    There a dragster in Don Garlits build by a engineer correct math/Physics
    Dragster to heavy just did not work ...
    & there are one's complain about big
    Powerful engines , Yes there many that should not have !
    Then there one's talk about safety,
    I ask why when in a water craft , canoe etc. Why you need a Life Vest ,
    But how many of you fly & Not Required in Non Combat airplane
    With out a parachute ?
    Maybe humans weren't supposed to do what we do Go fast or fly !
    Some play Russian roulette with all cylinders loaded ...
     
    mad mikey and VANDENPLAS like this.
  15. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,765

    alchemy
    Member

    How many miles were on it? Those were very lucky miles.
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  16. 57Fury440
    Joined: Nov 2, 2020
    Posts: 567

    57Fury440
    Member

    I would have no problem driving that up and back in my driveway. On the road is another thing. I think it would have been easier to plug the grease fitting and drill and tap it in another location.
     
  17. NoelC
    Joined: Mar 21, 2018
    Posts: 696

    NoelC
    Member

    I think you guys worry to much. How much to much, that's the question. But to address it, look at the material, ask what does it have to do, what forces it might be under, and...what it will take to break it. I did... and I see that it's survived, must have seen some miles, a few rod runs, maybe a show? I didn't see any stretch marks in the paint? No sign of a bend or flex anywhere? And our friend bought it, and it survived being shipped by container to New Zealand. Can you believe it? And you worry about driving it?

    I bet if you asked how many own a grinder, everyone would raise a hand. Ask who owns a tap and die set...not so much. The three ways of doing, the right the wrong and the way it got done.
    Would we be happier if he had added a half pipe to reinforce the area? Make up for the missing material?

    But that said, I look forward to seeing the change over and improvement to the concerns mentioned.
     
  18. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,717

    twenty8
    Member

    I'm going to take that as a compliment. Thank you......... and I fixed the mistake in the bit I quoted above.;)
     
    flatheadpete likes this.
  19. willys36
    Joined: May 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,200

    willys36
    Member

    Hmm . . . better not look too closely at my car!!
     
  20. willys36
    Joined: May 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,200

    willys36
    Member

    I'd question the engineering of the company that sold that steering arm that interfered wit the factory zerk location.
     
  21. bschwoeble
    Joined: Oct 20, 2008
    Posts: 1,124

    bschwoeble
    Member

    OMG !!!!!!
     
  22. Onemansjunk
    Joined: Nov 30, 2008
    Posts: 552

    Onemansjunk
    Member
    from Modesto,CA

    Watch a few videos from “PEPE’S TOWING “ on Y-TUBE. California is the place you ought to be, so they loaded up the truck, and spilled it…all over the Freeway…
     
  23. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 7,065

    catdad49
    Member

    Wow, he did do a neat grinding job! What could possibly go Wrong?!!
     
  24. THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Joined: Jun 6, 2007
    Posts: 6,101

    THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Member
    from FRENCHTOWN

    Amen
    FRENCHTOWN FLYER'S NUMBER 1 RULE:
    Never put a nine-second motor in a 12-second ch***is. It amazed me how many times I've observed this.
    Sometimes with disasterous results.
     
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  25. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,704

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    The amount of bump steer that would have would make it change lanes every time it hit a bump. would have been interesting to jump up and down on the spreader bar and watch the steering wheel move back and forth....
     
    mad mikey, lurker mick and Blues4U like this.
  26. HOTRODPRIMER
    Joined: Jan 3, 2003
    Posts: 64,857

    HOTRODPRIMER
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  27. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 16,081

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    How about this one, it was on a 1932 coupe I drove back from Riverside to Fresno a 4 hr drive.
    The driver side seat had a permanent crease in it by the time I got home.

    death trap.jpg
     
  28. woodiewagon46
    Joined: Mar 14, 2013
    Posts: 2,533

    woodiewagon46
    Member
    from New York

    HRP, what's even scarier is that someone did that and when it was done stood back and probably said "nice job".
     
  29. NoelC
    Joined: Mar 21, 2018
    Posts: 696

    NoelC
    Member

    IMG_2504.jpg You got a part bolted in place, it's stationary, no movement, and this isn't the weaker point to worry about? I'm trying to figure you guys out? Not that it matter, it's been changed. But my oh my...I haven't read a singular point to convince me how it was going to break. Not one. Just a bunch of fears and complaints of how shoddy it was and echoing how you wouldn't have done it.

    37FordRacer.jpg

    ( I know, but a motorcycle only has two wheels with brakes?)

    old drag (10).jpg

    This I agree with. Because at the end of the day, most of us aren't so ***led. Most of us don't have a fully equipped shop, or big fat stacks to spend paying for real engineered solutions. Yet... bridges do collapse, buildings topple, airplanes fall from the skies and king pin axle holes get drilled off to one side. All good. And as well, an engineer could sign off on it and you all would say... what? Guess it's ok?
    Sure, parts break, things fail and lots doesn't get maintained the way it should. But as Alfred E. Neuman said, "what's me worry".
    While I have no idea what it would have rode or steered like, I'm sure now it's better. Now that it's been modern engineered. And professionally welded better.
    • Current welding certificates (AS/NZS 1554), qualified welding certificate, or I-CAR welding certificate to carry out welding repairs to the appropriate standard
    https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt...and-certification-process/repair-instructions

    I expect it would have as well. "steering components tight? " "Check". Pay the man collect a sticker.
     

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